The diverse genus of fast-moving Thin-Legged Wolf Spiders are bold enough to look right back at people who stare at them.
This genus of wolf spiders can be found throughout the United States, Mexico, and Canada. They are dark and can have striped, speckles, or bands on the carapace and abdomen. Their hallmark are long, spindly legs that have hairy spines on them. The eyes of this type of spider reflect light at night in the same way a deer or cat's eyes do. Shining a flashlight at one will demonstrate this effect (see photo).
Thin-legged Wolf Spiders are active hunters and maintain a territory. They do not build web shelters for themselves; instead, they roam, day or night, for insect prey. They have been seen soaking in sunlight to keep warm as this allows them to move faster. A female will spin a cocoon out of her silk and drag it behind her, filled with eggs. The fresh greenish color of the eggs eventually fades to gray as they age. When spiderlings hatch, they are carried on the female's back until maturity.
Taxonomic Hierarchy
Kingdom:Animalia
Phylum:Arthropoda
Class:Arachnida
Order:Araneae
Family:Lycosidae
Genus:Pardosa
Species:spp.
Identifying Information
Scientific Name: Pardosa spp.
Category:
Spider
Size (Adult; Length): 3mm to 10mm (0.12in to 0.39in)
Note: An insect's reach is not limited by lines drawn on a map and therefore species may appear in areas, regions and/or states beyond those listed above as they are driven by environmental factors (such as climate change), available food supplies and mating patterns. Grayed-out selections indicate that the subject in question has not been reported in that particular territory. U.S. states and Canadian provinces / territories are clickable to their respective bug listings.
Spider Anatomy
1
Legs: Spiders have four pairs of legs and these are attached to the cephalothorax.
2
Pedipalps: Small appendages near the mouth used as taste and smell organs.
3
Cephalothorax: Contains eyes, head, mouthparts, and legs.
4
Abdomen: Contains various organs related to digestion, reproduction, and web-making.
5
Spinnerets: Used in the production of spider silk for fashioning webs or catching prey.
NOTE: Unlike insects, spiders have both an endoskeleton (internal) and exoskeleton (external).
Colors: black, gray, white
